Publication:

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori colonisation in tonsillar tissue in cases of chronic tonsillitis: a prospective study

Background Human stomach is not the only reservoir of Helicobacter pylori but it has been detected in dental plaques, oral lesions and saliva. It could play role in the pathogenesis of various otorhinolaryngologic problems and remains debatable. This study was aimed to find out the prevalence of H. pylori in tonsillar tissue of patients with chronic tonsillitis by rapid urease test in a tertiary hospital in Kerala.

Methods Prospective cross sectional study was done in patients who attended the outpatient department of ENT with a history suggestive of chronic tonsillitis. The patient satisfied the criteria for chronic recurrent tonsillitis were subsequently posted for tonsillectomy. Each specimen was subjected to rapid urease test.

Results Total 228 patients were included in this study with age ranging between 3 and 31 years (10.0±7.1), with most common age being <10 years in 159 patients (69.7%). Male to female ratio was 1.4:1. Among these, the presence of H. pylori was seen in only 6/228 patients.

Conclusions The possibility of tonsillar tissue acting as a reservoir for H. pylori infection is very low.